Flying with kids: Top 10 items every parent should pack for a long flight

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I’ve been fascinated by flying ever since I was a little boy. We didn’t fly that much growing up and when I was in high school, I became afraid to fly; it’s a long story but you can read more about it here.

One way I conquered my fear of flying was writing in a journal to take my mind off of waiting to take off. Once we were airborne, I was fine. I also did it to keep track of all the details like airline, aircraft, seat number, weather, ticket cost, etc.

Then on my son’s very first flight, which didn’t start out very well, the flight attendant gave him an American Airlines Junior Aviator Logbook, which was amazing. Here are the details.

Now, every time my son (8 years old) and my daughter (5) fly, they hand the flight attendants a box or bag of chocolates and their flight logs and politely ask them to have the pilots fill them out (date, city pairs, flight and tail numbers, miles, their signature and any comments) when they have a moment. They are always happy to do it and usually do it mid-flight.

The flight attendants and pilots are usually so thankful for kids who are interested in aviation and for the chocolates, that they almost always ask if they want to visit the cockpit.

Inevitably, when we get to our seats, I can sense that the passengers around us are thinking, “Oh no, I have to sit near little kids.” But almost every time we land, those same worried passengers end up telling me and my wife how impressed they are with how well-behaved our kids are. It’s not by chance.

There are several reasons our kids are such great travelers. My wife flew a lot with both of them when she was pregnant and she spent a lot of time researching travel with kids once they were born. The kids also started flying from an early age. Our eldest was eight months on his first flight though our youngest didn’t fly until she was two years old because of the pandemic. But she hasn’t missed a beat.

My kids are fortunate to have been to almost 20 countries and on over 100 flights, including last week’s trip to Fiji and Australia. Here’s what it was like flying in the back of the plane on a Fiji Airways A350 from Los Angeles to Nadi.

That was their longest flight to date and I’m relieved that they did so well. I took notes along the way to share the other reasons they travel well. So here’s a guide to 10 must-have items to bring along on your next long flight, to help your little traveler stay happy from takeoff to landing.

1. iPad

The real reason our kids are so well-behaved on airplanes is because they’re only allowed to use their iPads when we travel (or occasionally if we have a business meeting or dinner that we need to bring them to). They didn’t start using an iPad until they were two or three but once they started, like most kids, they were hooked. So we knew we had to limit it. When we travel, they’re so excited to finally get their hands on their iPads that we barely hear a peep from them. My wife downloads their favorite TV shows, movies and games and they settle in quite happily.

Tip: Make sure you fully charge all devices before your trip and bring the right adapters if you’re traveling internationally. I never travel without this universal travel adapter. We also never travel without this dual jack gadget from Belkin that allows you to charge your device and use the audio jack at the same time.

2. Headphones

It drives me nuts when people watch shows or make calls without headphones, especially on airplanes or in restaurants. Fortunately, many flight attendants make an announcement reminding passengers that this rude practice is not allowed on the flight. But it still happens all the time. Our kids use these Belkin wireless headphones with their iPads but they can also be used with the included wire if they run out of charge. They fit well, the kids find them comfortable and they have volume limits that make them safe for their little ears.

3. Tray cover and organizer (or backpack)

The seatback pocket on the seat in front of you is full of germs and is used to hold pretty much everything, from dirty, snot-filled tissues to diapers. If you want to keep your kid’s hands away from all those germs, you can use a tray cover and organizer like this one so you don’t have to use the seatback pocket. Or, you can just pack all of your kids stuff in a backpack to store everything they need. But I know a lot of parents who use an organizer to quickly grab everything during boarding and have it all within arm’s reach. The upside is that your kids don’t have to ask you over and over again for things that are buried in their bag.

4. Markers, crayons and paper

Our kids love to draw and color so my wife always packs washable markers and crayons (washable is key!) and pads of paper. This is especially useful if your kids are too young for an iPad or you just don’t want them to have too much screen time. It’s a great way to keep your child entertained and these supplies don’t take up much room in your bag.

5. Water bottle that doesn’t spray or spill

Staying hydrated is super important during long flights and my kids are always asking for water. I also make sure our kids drink every couple thousand of feet on ascent and descent. It’s important to choose a water bottle that’s easy to use, won’t spray all over the place when you open it after takeoff and is leakproof. No spills means no wet messes on their lap, and it helps ensure they stay refreshed throughout the journey. After much trial and error with kids water bottles, my wife settled on the 16 oz Owala water bottles for both kids.

6. Wipes

Wipes are a parent’s secret weapon, especially on flights. Whether it’s wiping down the kids’ tray tables, cleaning sticky hands after snack time, or refreshing their face, wipes come in handy for all kinds of situations. However, all of these situations require different wipes. These are the ones we use: Everyone Hand Sanitizer Wipes for sanitizing hands, water-based wipes for wiping their face and any other kind of clean-up and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes for disinfecting surfaces on the plane, in the hotel room, restaurants, etc.

7. Fly Tot

If you have a toddler, then look into getting a Fly Tot or something comparable since it’s a magical travel accessory. This inflatable cushion is placed on the floor in front of their seat to create a little bed. It basically turns a coach seat into a lie-flat seat for them so it’s perfect to get some shut eye. Just make sure your airline allows it since there are a few that don’t.

8. Blanket, pillow and sleep mask

Many airlines don’t hand out pillows or blankets anymore unless it’s a long flight. And if they do, they’re usually super thin, too thin to keep your child warm and cozy. So it’s a good idea to bring your own blanket and a small pillow. My wife invested in a couple of these travel blankets and says she wishes she’d bought them years ago. You can read her full review of them here. The blanket can also double as a pillow but obviously if you’re using it as a blanket, you can’t use it as a pillow. In which case, we love the KeaBabies kids travel pillows (they’re made from 100% natural organic cotton and are washable). A comfy sleep mask is always a good idea too and even though it’s not a kids mask, my son sleeps great with mine, which is the LitBear sleep mask from Amazon. You can read my full review of it here and why I’ll never go back to my old sleep mask.

9. PJs or sweatpants

If it’s a long or overnight flight, dress your kids in pajamas or sweatpants and a comfy, cozy sweatshirt. Or bring their comfies with you to change into at the airport or on the plane. If you wait to change them on the plane, do it just after takeoff as soon as the seatbelt sign goes off since that’s when the lavatories will be at their cleanest. Comfy sweats or PJs (anything without buttons, zippers and tight waistbands) make it easier for them to settle in, whether they’re watching movies, reading or finally getting some rest. And always dress them in layers so they can remove or add layers as the temperature requires.

TIP: Always bring a change of clothes for everyone when you fly just in case there’s a spill, an accident or the airline loses your luggage. We also pack a bathing suit for everyone in our carry-on, just in case the latter happens and we’re going to a tropical destination. It’s no fun trying to hunt down kids’ bathing suits and paying ridiculously high prices.

10. Food and snacks

We all know that kids get hungry and often, especially on long flights. Pack a variety of snacks—think granola bars, crackers, fruit slices and something sweet as a treat. Having snacks on hand can save you from those “I’m hungry!” moments and keep your child satisfied during the flight. Since our son has food allergies, my wife always cooks pasta for the kids and puts it in a Thermos for the flight. That way, they have a solid meal to eat and aren’t just snacking for the whole journey.

With these 10 items packed in your child’s carry-on, you’re all set for a smooth and enjoyable long-haul flight. Whether they’re coloring, watching movies or just snuggling up for a nap, you’ll both have everything you need to make the journey as comfortable as possible for everyone.

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